maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly
maternal love
maternal instincts
2
a
: related through a mother
his maternal aunt
b
: inherited or derived from the female parent
maternal genes
Examples of maternal in a Sentence
Doctors are concerned about the effects of the drug on maternal health.
her maternal instincts told her that something was wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Reformers argued that women, with their natural maternal instincts, could help clean up society’s moral problems.
—
Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Animal studies suggest that maternal ingestion of microplastics can permanently alter fetal development, affecting growth, metabolism, and immune function.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Through her work in repositioning the campaign, it was featured in several major publications and a bill was pushed through the US Congress to positively impact maternal health in the country.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
In testimony Tuesday, the children’s maternal aunt identified Edwards as the man on the 911 call.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
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Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Animal studies suggest that maternal ingestion of microplastics can permanently alter fetal development, affecting growth, metabolism, and immune function.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Through her work in repositioning the campaign, it was featured in several major publications and a bill was pushed through the US Congress to positively impact maternal health in the country.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
In testimony Tuesday, the children’s maternal aunt identified Edwards as the man on the 911 call.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maternal
Cite this Entry
“Maternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maternal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: of or relating to a mother : motherly
2
a
: related through a mother
maternal grandparents
b
: obtained or received from a female parent
maternal chromosomes
Etymology
Middle English maternal "maternal, of or like a mother," from early French maternel (same meaning), from Latin maternus "maternal," from mater "mother" — related to alma mater
Medical Definition
maternal
adjective
ma·ter·nal
mə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother
maternal instinct
2
a
: related through a mother
his maternal aunt
b
: inherited or derived from the female parent
maternal genes
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